Houston Lands Robotics Championship Through 2034, Securing $500M Economic Boost

HOUSTON, TX — Mayor John Whitmire joined Houston First to announce that FIRST®, the world’s leading youth robotics organization, has selected Houston as the host city for its largest annual competition through 2034.

The FIRST Championship, held each year at the George R. Brown Convention Center, draws more than 50,000 students, mentors and visitors from around the globe. The event generates an estimated $74 million in annual economic impact for the region.

After a 19-month competitive bidding process, Houston beat out three other cities to secure a new seven-year commitment beginning in 2028. Over the life of the agreement, the championship is projected to generate more than $500 million in total economic impact.

Chris Moore, CEO of FIRST, said the transformation of the George R. Brown Convention Center played a major role in the organization’s decision to extend its partnership with Houston, noting the event continues to grow in size and scope each year.

Funding for the convention center improvements is made possible through Senate Bill 1057, signed into law in 2023 and authored by then-Senator Whitmire. The legislation allows the state’s share of incremental Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue growth within a three-mile radius of the GRB to be used for the project over a 30-year period. The funding is estimated to total nearly $2 billion and does not place a financial burden on local taxpayers.

The funding model mirrors similar mechanisms supporting convention center improvements in Dallas and Fort Worth.

City leaders say securing the FIRST Championship long-term strengthens Houston’s position as a premier destination for major conventions and reinforces its commitment to STEM education and innovation.